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Lingo is the University of Nottingham's Language and Culture Magazine, established 2022. Home: Welcome Home: Feature Story Award-winning magazine Winner of the Student Publication Association Regional Award for Best Digital Media 2024 and 2025. Highly Commended for Best Print Design 2025. Nominated for Best Newcomer Publication, Best Culture Publication and Best Overall Digital Media at the SPA national awards 2024. LATEST ARTICLES CULTURE Working with History: What It's Like to Work at Nottingham Castle Imagine stepping into a world where every artefact tells a story and every archive in a museum’s collections holds secrets waiting to be retold and newly uncovered. Working in the museum sector truly feels like an adventure through time, whether conducting research on specific collections or engaging with diverse visitors who offer their own perspectives and input on the historical narratives told throughout the museum. Each day that I work at Nottingham Castle reminds me that my role is pivotal in preserving Nottingham’s collective memory. CULTURE The Culinary Heart of Malaysia Exploring the rich tapestry of flavours that encompass Malaysia's culinary heritage. CULTURE The Perfect Blend: Coffee, Church and Community Beyond the Campus is a collaborative reporting project involving over 20 students from four student publications across the Midlands. Lingo has joined Impact, Redbrick and Platform in combatting negative student stereotypes by highlighting the ways they give back to their local communities. CULTURE How students help build tolerance on and campus and beyond Universities often like to shout about their diversity and inclusivity credentials. But what role do students play in fostering campus communities that shape Nottingham and Birmingham’s broader cultural and social landscape? Haven't got your hands on a copy? Check out Issue #5 here Our Monthly Music Chart! Tune in to all our favourite songs from around the world! Listen now! Join us Not a member yet? Why not? Click the link below to buy our membership and unlock all of perks of being part of Lingo! Membership > Get an Idea Stuck for an idea? Have a look through our database curated by our excellent editors for some inspiration! Database > Start Writing Can't get started? Use our writing frames to help you along the way, including our accessibility guide so we can reach as many readers as possible. Writing Frames > Submit! All done? Complete our form below to submit your article! Submission Form > CONTACT US Name Email Message Submit Thanks for submitting! BUY YOUR SU MEMBERSHIP HERE!

Working with History: What It's Like to Work at Nottingham Castle Imagine stepping into a world where every artefact tells a story and every archive in a museum’s collections holds secrets waiting to be retold and newly uncovered. Working in the museum sector truly feels like an adventure through time, whether conducting research on specific collections or engaging with diverse visitors who offer their own perspectives and input on the historical narratives told throughout the museum. Each day that I work at Nottingham Castle reminds me that my role is pivotal in preserving Nottingham’s collective memory. Kaitlen Elaine Wood 1 Jun 2025 READ LATEST STORIES Kaitlen Elaine Wood 1 Jun 2025 Culture Working with History: What It's Like to Work at Nottingham Castle READ Saskia Johnson 18 Mar 2025 Language and Linguistics The Language of Lies: Exposing the Unreliable Narrator READ Isabelle Monteiro 28 May 2025 Culture The Culinary Heart of Malaysia READ Gabrielle Wroe 17 Mar 2025 Travel Weekend Getaways: The Lake District READ Arabella Moore-Smith 2 May 2025 Culture The Perfect Blend: Coffee, Church and Community READ Michelle Yap 19 Feb 2025 Culture From Tibet to Malaysia: Exploring Lunar New Year Celebrations Across Asia READ Esha Singh 1 May 2025 Culture How students help build tolerance on and campus and beyond READ Rhianna Wynne 10 Feb 2025 Travel Trips from Nottingham: A local’s insight READ Established in 2022 after the COVID-19 Pandemic, Lingo Magazine started with a group of friends wanting to share their travel stories. Now, Lingo strives to represent and empower narratives outside of the mainstream narrative. ABOUT US PRINT ISSUES We have come a long way since the first issue. CULTURE Arabella Moore-Smith Theology Culture Editor Meet the Editor 1 Jun 2025 Kaitlen Elaine Wood Working with History: What It's Like to Work at Nottingham Castle View More 2 May 2025 Arabella Moore-Smith The Perfect Blend: Coffee, Church and Community View More 28 May 2025 Isabelle Monteiro The Culinary Heart of Malaysia View More 1 May 2025 Esha Singh How students help build tolerance on and campus and beyond View More GLOBAL AFFAIRS Caitlin Morrell 9 Dec 2024 How did the Convicted Felon Donald Trump Manage to Win the US Elections? View More Olivia Marshall 17 Jun 2024 The Forgotten Victims of the Holocaust View More Caitlin Morrell 14 Nov 2024 Just Stop Oil: Who are they, and why are they throwing soup on paintings? View More Holly Cromwell 25 May 2024 Students Protest the (Western) World Over View More Global Affair Editor To Be Elected Could this be you? Follow our Instagram for Announcements Lingo Magazine fosters a welcoming community, learning about other cultures and niches. Alongside our launch parties, we hold regular social to meet like-minded people. These include workshops, game nights and coffee meet ups. MEETINGS & EVENTS We are not just an online magazine LANGUAGE Scott Froggatt Physics Languages Editor Meet the Editor 18 Mar 2025 Saskia Johnson The Language of Lies: Exposing the Unreliable Narrator View More 16 Dec 2024 Anika Jennifer Mariel Growing Up Bilingual View More 16 Dec 2024 Sofia Christou I Love Them With All My Heart (And Liver) View More 16 Dec 2024 Kathrin Loithaler The Art of Fictional Languages: Deconstructing Dothraki and Klingon View More TRAVEL 17 Mar 2025 Gabrielle Wroe Weekend Getaways: The Lake District View More 10 Feb 2025 Jacob Edwards Sustainable Travel on a Budget View More 10 Feb 2025 Rhianna Wynne Trips from Nottingham: A local’s insight View More 10 Dec 2024 Evie Dowding Year Abroad Tales: A glimpse into Corrientes, Argentina through journal entries View More Robin Greenwood Ancient History Travel Editor Meet the Editor Want to get featured? We’re always on the lookout for fresh, new ideas. Find out how you can pitch your ideas to our editors and get your work published. SUBMISSIONS

The Rise of Foreign Language TV Holly Cromwell Monday, 21 November 2022 The last few years have seen several standout films and TV shows that just so happen to not be in English. Money Heist, Squid Games and more - but why now and how come? Holly shares her thoughts on what has changed and why we only noticed just how good these films are. There’s been a longstanding belief in film and television that foreign language films were a bit niche – something for us language students and maybe the odd hipster. That was before Money Heist and Squid Games bust onto the scene and proved them all wrong. Since then, there’ve been others in different genres: Lupin , showing up for French crime dramas, the first French series to break the top ten of US Netflix; the rise of K Dramas mirroring that of K-pop; Young Royals , a Swedish teen drama that put Netflix Nordic on the map and, of course, Parasite brought film up to par as well. This media is not only more popular than ever, but some are also smashing records full stop. The final season of Money Heist was not only Netflix’s most viewed international series that wasn’t streamed in solely in English, but in the week the final episodes dropped it became the show with the highest total viewing hours on the platform, with almost four times that of the nearest (English-speaking) competitor. That’s 47 million hours against 190 million. Insane! But why now? Is it just that people realised that subtitles really aren’t as bad as they thought? I know a lot of people, including me, have left them on for English shows because they make life so much easier. One article states that over 80% of Netflix users now use subtitles at least once a month, and the streaming giant, which may be losing popularity but still dominates its field, now streams in more than 60 languages. This is possible of course, but we’ve not moved to a world of universal consumption – my Netflix feed is still 75% English even as I try to watch as much French media as I can for my degree. It’s one or two productions at a time that make it big out of nowhere, and from a variety of places, genres and budgets. Potentially, it’s the sheer choice. The rise of streaming has allowed not only a wider appreciation of subtitles but wider access to films – a Netflix or Hulu subscription is often cheaper than a cinema ticket and you have access to a massive amount of content at any time you want. Similarly, TV is no longer a matter of what happens to be on when you’re free, it’s there on demand. With wider access comes a wider range of choices and that means that things that would otherwise be overlooked or excluded, now have a chance, if not a big one, of being noticed. Then we have algorithms, if enough of us scream about Squid Games, then all of us will scream about Squid Games . It pleases the digital overlords. From there we find one of the complaints you hear about TV and film nowadays: that there’s so much choice and it’s all in different places (often behind paywalls on different streaming sites). With that much content available, things can start to feel a little bit stale. Even without intention, you start to spot patterns in media and the search for something new is easier when you stumble upon a highly acclaimed foreign film in the recommended section. Here is something that maybe is a little bit different! Whilst cinematographers and film critics like to claim film is a universal language; Korean, French, Spanish, or Swedish filmmakers may be working from a different set of references and cultural expectations and as such that stale taste dissipates. We speak the same language; we get the stories, and the emotions and we connect to the art, but we speak a different dialect and that makes these films refreshing. Not to say that any of my examples are only good because they’re foreign – they’re all stunning works and push forward the standards of the industry. However, it is notable that none of these examples of massively popular films were necessarily created with an English-speaking audience in mind. This is not Disney minimising LGBTQ+ representation so they can easily push sales through Russian and Chinese censorship. This is not a collection of calculated decisions from executives looking for the next big thing. They seem to be organically popular shows. Just good entertainment that happened to spark something amongst audiences across cultures, without a set intention to make it big – even as both film and TV are, in the end, both markets as well as art. Related Articles About the Author The Rise of Foreign Language TV Holly Cromwell What is Culture? Holly Cromwell Why Do We All Need Subtitles Now? Holly Cromwell Copyright free images via Unsplash. For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Holly Cromwell Foreign TV Money Heist Squid Game Netflix Categories: Culture Analysis Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! LOAD MORE

Growing Up Bilingual Anika Jennifer Mariel Monday, 16 December 2024 There is something truly exceptional about the way languages shape our lives, especially when you grow up knowing more than one. Welcome, not just to my world, but to the world of billions across the globe. Multilingualism is far beyond the simple greetings or numbers in different languages. It manifests itself in the way I perceive myself and the world around me, becoming an indispensable part of me and my identity. But how does one become bilingual, or even multilingual? Well, when you grow up in a country as diverse as India—like I did—you’re practically born into bilingualism. In a place with no national language, and instead, 22 officially recognised languages, 121 major languages, and over 19,000 dialects, fluency in multiple languages is the norm. The Indian educational system also mandates learning several languages from a very young age, but the medium of instruction in Indian schools and universities (except for a handful of institutions in each state that exclusively teach in regional languages) is English, as it has long been recognised as an official language in the country. This meant that while I was learning my mother tongue, Tamil, I was simultaneously learning English at the very same pace! I grew up speaking both Tamil and English fluently, but I also understand other Indian regional languages such as Hindi, Malayalam, and Telugu. Being raised in a multilingual environment ignited my passion for language learning, which is why I’ve been learning German and Korean, and have recently taken up Japanese at the University. I’ve discovered that growing up speaking multiple languages has given me a significant advantage, making it much easier and quicker for me to learn new ones. Inspiration began with my mom, who like me, has a penchant for languages. As a child, I remember being in awe of her, doing my best to emulate her as she effortlessly switched between various languages. Looking back now, she was probably the reason I became so enamoured by language and linguistics in the first place. Growing up, the language my family, friends, and I predominantly spoke was English. It was the language I was, and still am most comfortable with and proficient in. No matter how many silly challenges my family organised at home to ensure that I didn’t lose my connection with Tamil, my brain at some point during my childhood automatically picked English as the dominant language. I realise now that no matter how many languages you grow up learning, your mind is naturally going to have a preference for one. Because of this inclination, I’ve often struggled to fit in with certain family groups and have even faced bullying from elderly relatives with more traditional, conservative mindsets for being more comfortable with English. A part of me definitely feels like my preference for English undermined my Tamil identity. As surprising as it was to everyone, including me, scoring well in my Tamil O-levels was probably the first time I felt a sense of validation in my cultural identity, but I now know that something as superficial as an exam grade does not define the depth of your cultural connection. My desire to have more languages under my belt has encouraged me to be more aware of and open to cultures, embracing them wholeheartedly and striving to learn as much as I can about each one. My multilingual background plays a massive role in how I perceive myself as well as how I portray myself to the world. It has been vital in shaping my identity and is a salient part of my strengths, curiosity and versatility. As someone who speaks more than one language on the daily, code-switching has become an innate part of my personality. Each language that I wield seems to unveil a different side of me, as if my mind were partitioned into various personas that embody the nuances of each language and its culture. The brain is a marvellous organ, and for the most part, it enables a seamless transition from one language to the next, but it’s not uncommon for me to become tongue-tied while speaking. My mind is constantly translating my thoughts into various languages (why? Because the brain enjoys a completely unnecessary yet relentless challenge - who needs simplicity, right?), and it can get a little crowded up there sometimes, leading me to spit out an utterly incoherent sentence that somehow captures the essence of all the languages I know. Nevertheless, I take immense pride in being a polyglot, not only because it has played a significant role in moulding me into the person I am today, but also because it pushes me to become a better individual by encouraging me to learn new languages and connect with and learn from people from diverse cultures. Learning languages helps build bridges between cultures, and I believe that it’s incredibly beneficial in today’s increasingly divisive society. If you’re interested in becoming multilingual, there is a plethora of online resources to get you started, but I would recommend apps like Duolingo , or simply enrolling at a language institution near you for a more comprehensive learning experience. Related Articles About the Author Copyright free images courtesy of Unsplash. For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Language Language Learning bilingualism Categories: I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! Barbara Dawson average rating is 3 out of 5 Lovely tasty dish. Try it you won’t be disappointed. Time Published Aunty Liz average rating is 3 out of 5 Very tasty and cheap. I often have this for tea! Time Published BETTS average rating is 3 out of 5 Being a bilingual family (French mother and British father,) living in France I thought your article was extremely interesting . Have you research on bilingualism ? It seems that when the mother is British and the father French and they both live in France their children seem to be more bilingual than when the mother is French and the father is British . This is what we called mother tongue , isn't it ? Time Published Niamh average rating is 3 out of 5 Such an interesting article! Time Published LOAD MORE

Faculty of Engineering < Back Sarah Taylor Sarah is a staff member here at the University working as a Senior Research Administrator for the Faculty of Engineering. She loves writing and culture, and thought that Lingo Mag would be a fantastic opportunity to combine both passions. She also loves photography, books, history and walking. Latest Articles by this Author Film Review: The Order (2024) 20/01/25 Film Review: Lee (2024) 01/10/24 The Zone of Interest (2023) - the new film from director Jonathan Glazer 22/05/24

You Are Not Alone Jess Henrys Wednesday, 15 June 2022 This Welfare Wednesday we take a look into loneliness, something many students feel at university. One of our Welfare Secs, Jess Henrys, takes a look into the subject and provides some advice for our readers in aid of Loneliness Awareness Week. It’s may seem strange to suggest that language learners get lonely, but even these notoriously sociable creatures can be struck by the loneliness bug. For the Marmalade Trust’s Loneliness Awareness Week 2022, we’re taking a little look at loneliness and a few ways to fight it. Sometimes we all need a little reminder that we are not alone. What is loneliness? In May 2021, the ‘ What’s Up With Everyone? ’ (WUWE) campaign was launched to offer mental health support through a series of short films. The campaign found that “loneliness and perfectionism” were the two most prominent issues affecting young people’s mental health. A year later, the fact remains. As reported by the BBC last week , almost one in four students report that they are lonely most or all of the time. WUWE defines loneliness as: “The combination of feelings and thoughts that you are alone in the world. It is not the same as being on your own, as that can feel good and welcome at times. It is a more uncomfortable way of feeling and thinking”. Loneliness can often be linked with isolation, where you are cut off from familiar people, places or resources that are a support to you. You may feel like you don’t belong. If these feelings are familiar to you, know firstly that you are not alone, and secondly, that these feelings are temporary. They may even pass on their own. And there are things you can do to help. Images by the Marmalade Trust for Loneliness Awareness Week 2022 1. Look Inside WUWE recommends looking inside yourself and pinpointing the obstacles in your daily life that prevent you from connecting with others, and then becoming a conscious observer of those around you. Being curious teaches us about other people’s likes, dislikes, and personality traits, and how we can best interact with them. Remember also to be gentle with yourself. The following ideas may inspire you to conquer your loneliness, but you don’t have to do everything all at once. Taking care of your mental health often means taking baby steps and managing tasks and changes in bite-sized pieces. Set manageable goals and build up to them: you don’t have to jump straight into joining a new society or making twenty new friends… maybe start with calling someone you know, or meeting up for coffee, or sending someone a quick text to ask how they’re getting on. What’s more, if you’re feeling lonely or emotionally overwhelmed, make sure to keep yourself physically healthy, such as by getting enough sleep and fresh air. These small changes can make a huge difference to your perspective on life. Finally, have a think about those friends who you haven’t heard from in a while. Could they be feeling lonely? Could they benefit from a personal message, a catch up, or some quality time together? Be the first to make contact. It could mean the world to someone. 2. Look Outside Get social! The best way to conquer your loneliness is to get out there and interact with others. There are many ways to get connected at Nottingham with other people just like you. Join a Language Society No one understands the highs and lows of studying languages better than your fellow coursemates. If you’re struggling to make friends in your classes, or just want to reach out more, why not drop into one of UoN’s course societies? For example: The French and German Society ; The Hispanic Society ; The Russian Speaking Society and many other language and non-language course-based societies at UoN. Take a deep breath and say hi! Join a Lingo Social At Lingo, we understand what life is like for language students, and we’re happy to share the highs and lows with you. Keep an eye out on our social media pages for our next social event, and feel welcome to come along, whatever your subject or background. Or, for more one-on-one support, drop an email to your Welfare Team at lingomagwelfareteam@gmail.com and one of the team will get back to you and signpost you to available support. Find your other interests Life doesn’t have to revolve around your course. Sometimes it’s worth taking a step back from learning your language to enjoy other things in life! Whether it’s sports or song writing , cocktails or cups of tea , there’s a society for everyone at UoN. Don’t be afraid to explore the societies that pique your interest, even the ones you’ve never heard of before. Whether it’s something you’re already good at, or something completely new, societies can be a great way to meet new and interesting people (and a great way to forget about deadlines for an hour or so). Volunteer If you are struggling with feelings of loneliness, be assured that you are not alone. Sometimes, reaching out to others in need can be a great way to tackle and challenge your own loneliness. The UoN Global Buddies scheme pairs up UoN students with new international or Erasmus students in need of a friendly face. Apply to be a buddy here . Applications for September 2022 close on 13/07. 3. Look Professionally With practice, feelings of loneliness and isolation can loosen the hold they have on you. But, if the feelings seem to be sticking around, it may be time to seek professional help. At university, this support can be found: With your Faculty and Wellbeing Team – Email your dedicated Faculty Support and Wellbeing Team Faculty of Arts : support-arts@nottingham.ac.uk Faculty of Engineering : support-engineering@nottingham.ac.uk Faculty of Social Sciences : support-socialsciences@nottingham.ac.uk Faculty of Science: support-science@nottingham.ac.uk Faculty of Medicine and Health Science : support-medhealthsci@nottingham.ac.uk With the University Counselling Service – https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/counselling/student-counselling/student-counselling.aspx With Cripps Health Centre – Make an appointment with a dedicated mental health practitioner here: 0115 846 8888. In the outside world, help can be found - With the Samaritans : Call free, day or night, on 116 123 Or email jo@samaritans.org.uk With the SHOUT 85258 text line: Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service: Text SHOUT to 85258. With the Togetherall Online Community: https://togetherall.com/en-gb/ Related Articles About the Author Protecting your mental health abroad Aidan Cross Surviving Language Student Life: Scheduling Jess Henrys You Are Not Alone Jess Henrys Copyright free images via Unsplash. For more content, follow us on Instagram , and like our Facebook page for more articles and information on how to join the Lingo Team. Have an article ready to send in? Submit it here . Tags: Jess Henrys Welfare Wednesdays Loneliness University Mental Health Categories: Welfare Advice Share: Let us know what you think 3.0 150 Article ratings average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, Article ratings WRITE A COMMENT Thanks for submitting a comment! LOAD MORE

English BA < Back Isabelle Monteiro Hailing from Malaysia, Isabelle is a final year English student with a passion for food and the arts. She views Lingo as an opportunity to explore her interests in culture and travel, as well as to develop her writing skills. Latest Articles by this Author The Culinary Heart of Malaysia 28/05/25

Philosophy < Back Francesca Beaumont Francesca is a Philosophy student, who loves reading Lingo articles as she is really interested in languages, travelling and culture. So thought she'd try write some of her own! Latest Articles by this Author Film in Flux: Conflating Creativity and Artificial Intelligence at Gothenburg Film Festival 25/10/23 Fashion Saturation: ‘Stockholm Style’ and the resurgence of Scandi-Minimalism 03/03/23 Foreign Film in the Face of Western Commercialism 06/12/22

Electrical & Electronic Engineering < Back Jasmine Johal Jasmine has lived in the UK her whole life but has been brought up in an Indian household. She can also speak Mandarin at around B2 level and this year she is learning French alongside her degree. As an engineer, she is hoping to use her passion for languages and diverse cultures to travel the globe and work on a range of different projects! Latest Articles by this Author The Bubbling History of Boba 11/03/24 How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionising the Tourism Experience 09/02/24 Beyond Creatures: Unveiling Pokémon’s Multicultural Universe 26/01/24 A Complete Overview of Sikh Wedding Functions 23/12/23

French Studies < Back Emily Cormack Emily is really excited to see the collaboration of language students across UoN through Lingo. She is particularly interested in French culture and history and halfway through her year abroad in Paris! Latest Articles by this Author YEAR ABROAD TALES: When the student becomes the teacher 18/03/22

English and French < Back Aoife Grimes McTavish Aoife is a English and French student, who wants to showcase her writing abilities and have the opportunity to write on topics that interest students studying modern languages. She hopes she can use her experiences to also help others, especially in regards to living, working and studying abroad. Latest Articles by this Author Fashion in Paris: Autumn Edition 25/11/22

International Media and Communication (MA) < Back Anika Jennifer Mariel I'm a passionate writer with a Journalism degree and a desire to spark discussions and explore perspectives on both light-hearted and significant topics. I'm set to start my Master's degree at the University of Nottingham soon. I've always been drawn to languages, and I'm a polyglot myself! I speak English, Tamil, Hindi, German, and Korean. If I'm not writing, I'm definitely playing video games, or watching my favorite show. As someone who loves the idea of languages and culture, Lingo is perfect because it helps you explore things that you wouldn't have even known to explore! It encompasses everything that I look for in a magazine, and I'm looking forward to contributing to it! Latest Articles by this Author Growing Up Bilingual 16/12/24 Unveiling Hidden Connections: The Surprising Parallels Between Korean and Tamil 25/07/24